[asianthree]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

You can get a lawyer at any time. Don't rush out and do it now. Get appropriate medical treatment and deal with the drivers insurance company. Use your no fault PIP coverage to pay for your bills. If the 10K isn't enough your health insurance will kick in. The other insurance company won't advance or pay for any medical bills you incur until they settle. That won't change if you get an attorney. Keep copies of all expenses. You can settle the car without jeopardizing your bodily injury settlement.

Don't consider concluding the bodily injury until you are fully healed. They will make an offer based upon incurred expenses plus payment for pain and suffering and any permanent medical conditions if one exists. If you feel the offer isn't fair, you can get an attorney.

Attorneys take fees on a contingency basis. Typically 30-40% of the total settlement. However, they can't ethically take a fee on any sums you were offered by the insurance company without their representation. So their fee would only apply to a portion of the settlement above what you have been offered as a settlement. So get their offer, which isn't likely to be their top offer, negotiate, and if it's not what you want, then call an attorney. The attorney will negotiate with adjusters at the insurance company, just as you would have done. The attorney, or legal assistant or whoever, will negotiate with the adjuster, just as you would have only for a lot more money. Less than 1% of bodily injury claims ever go to trial. The statute of limitations of filing suit in an auto accident is 4 years, so you have plenty of time.

It's your call, but really not difficult to maximize your recovery on your own. You can always call an attorney but why not give it a shot?

Well stated , and wise advice.